Sole Omega in an Alpha Family chapter 16

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Beomhyeon’s gaze shifted to Jungin, cradled in Jungwoo’s arms.

His expression softened as he looked at Jungin, but when he noticed Jungwoo holding him so carefully, his face hardened.

Clicking his tongue softly, Beomhyeon lifted his head, scanning the three brothers before speaking again.

“He doesn’t know that I’m his fiancé. He doesn’t know my name, my age. In fact, he doesn’t know I even exist. Did you hide it on purpose?”

The three brothers flinched at his pointed question and fell silent.

In truth, they had all opposed the engagement from the start, and had been waiting for the right moment to convince their youngest brother to break off the ridiculous arrangement.

“Ahem…”

“…”

“Hmph, it wasn’t like we were trying to hide it… It was just for Jungin’s mental well-being.”

But Beomhyeon, having already seen through their intentions, raised an eyebrow and continued.

“It seems I’ve acted a bit emotionally today. From now on, I’ll contact Jungin directly to set up meetings.”

“There may not be a next time. It would be best if you kept that in mind. After all, this engagement could end at any moment. It’s not like you’re married.”

“Well, I guess we’ll see about that.”

Just as things seemed to be settling down, the tension in the room rose once more, the invisible string between them pulled taut again.

With Beomhyeon and the three formidable brothers facing off, the atmosphere in the room became stifling.

Jungjin, still displeased by Beomhyeon’s recent interest in Jungin, scrutinized his expression.

“Do you actually like our Jungin?”

Beomhyeon didn’t answer, only raising the corner of his mouth into a slight smile, which made Jungjin frown even more.

Though they were the same age, Beomhyeon didn’t come across as just a young boy.

He seemed more like a snake—cold, calculating, and impossible to read.

People from that family were always like that, but Jungjin found Jungin’s fiancé particularly unnerving.

Scowling, Jungjin turned to his younger brothers, Jungwoo and Jungseo, and spoke.

“Let’s end this for today.”

“But, hyung…”

“We’ve confirmed that he’s okay. There’s no need to make a scene.”

If this escalated, Jungin would only suffer.

Jungjin didn’t want to see their youngest hurt again because of their family’s meddling.

Taking Jungin from Jungwoo, Jungjin held him in his arms, gently stroking the cheek of the still-sleeping child.

.

.

“Mm…”

What’s going on? Why do I feel like I’ve forgotten something…?

“Huff! L-Let me go ho-”

When I snapped my eyes open, the dark scenery outside the window was the first thing that filled my vision.

But I was sure I was in a hotel on the 80th floor or something?

Still groggy from just waking up, Jungin rubbed his eyes and immediately felt a gaze from right beside him.

“Lee Jungin…”

“Hic…!”

Startled by the cold voice, he turned his head to see his eldest brother glaring at him with a terrifying expression.

How did I end up here…?

“What’s this? The kid’s awake?”

“Jungin-ah.”

In the front seats, he could see Jungwoo driving and Jung-seo sitting in the passenger seat.

How did the three of them get here… Oh, wait, where’s Ki Beomhyeon?

As Jungin urgently scanned his surroundings, there was a hissing sound as Jungjin lightly patted his cheek and spoke.

“Lee Jungin.”

Now that he thought about it, they were calling him ‘Lee Jungin.’

They never attached his surname unless they were really angry.

They must be seriously pissed off this time.

His heart pounded as the voice of the director at the charity events, who would always add his surname whenever he made a mistake or wasn’t up to par, overlapped in his mind.

“Hyung…?”

“Why didn’t you answer your phone? Do you have no fear, staying out this late, at this hour? Ha.”

His phone had been confiscated by Beomhyeon hyung.

He did want to go home, but Beomhyeon…

In the tense atmosphere inside the car, Jungin was about to blurt out Ki Beomhyeon’s name.

But remembering how kind Beomhyeon had been to him today, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“That’s it. You’re going to get it when we get home. Jungwoo, step on it.”

“Going to get it”? So this is when they show their true colors? Jungin swallowed nervously, closing his eyes as the car sped up.

“Get out.”

“H-Hyung…”

“Even if you call me that cutely, I’m not letting it slide today. You have no idea what kind of world this is, do you? You’re going to be in big trouble tonight. Brace yourself. And you two, you know what’s coming.”

At Jungjin’s words, the other brothers nodded and averted their gazes from him.

They all strode toward the house, beckoning him to follow.

Watching their retreating backs, Jungin hesitated and opened his mouth.

“Hyung-ah…”

The three brothers, who had been walking ahead without paying him any attention, suddenly stopped in their tracks at Jungin’s call.

Should I try saying it more sweetly…?

“Jungjin hyung-ah… Jungwoo hyung-ah, Jung-seo hyung-ah…”

They flinched, their bodies twitching, but they still didn’t turn around.

What should I do…?

If I just push a little more, they might calm down.

At that moment, Jungin felt a sharp pain in his knee and let out a soft “Ah.”

“Hyung-ah, my knee hurts so much I can’t walk…”

‘Ugh, even I think I’m overdoing it. I’m not a kid, I’m a high schooler. Who would…’

Contrary to his expectations, his brothers rushed over to him in an instant, checking him over and asking in concerned voices.

“How much does it hurt? You can’t walk?”

“I’ll call Dr. Choi.”

“Damn it, that bastard Ki Beomhyeon. I told him he should’ve taken you to the hospital first. The kid must be really hurt to be like this.”

Did that really work?

Jungin was taken aback by the situation and took a step back, only to trip over a protruding stone and lean backward.

“Jungin-ah, you need to be careful.”

“That’s dangerous.”

“We’ll take you to your room. Wrap your arms around my neck, kid.”

Three pairs of hands surrounded him, gently lifting his body.

Among them, the largest, Jung-seo, picked him up easily and looked triumphant, as if he had won some sort of prize.

As Jungin wrapped his arms around his neck and looked back, the other two brothers were glaring daggers at Jung-seo, their expressions bitter.

As they entered the house, the familiar scent of the place, where he’d been staying for over a week, relaxed his body.

Though the high-rise hotel and its luxurious suite had been nice, home was still the best.

“I’ll call Dr. Choi and have him come over.”

“W-Wait…”

“Is there another place that hurts?”

“No, it’s just…”

He wasn’t actually hurt, so asking people to come and go made him feel a bit guilty.

Jungin glanced around nervously, then grabbed his leg that he had claimed was hurting and spoke up.

“I had a cramp… That’s why it hurt. But I’m totally fine now.”

“Well, that’s a relief. By the way, where are your glasses?”

“Glasses?”

At Jungjin’s words, Jungin let out an “Ah.”

That’s right.

He had them when he left school early, didn’t he?

Maybe he put them in his bag before entering the bathhouse?

He rummaged through the bag his second brother handed him and spotted the red-rimmed glasses.

Fortunately, they weren’t broken…

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